With the announcement of Budget 2021, technology-focused measures were implemented to stimulate business sustainability and spark innovation among local businesses. Plus Solar commented on how the measures of Budget 2021 would encourage higher sustainability in Malaysia and empower economic recovery which was reported by media outlets such as Bernama, The Edge, The Sun, Berita Harian, Sinar Harian, Utusan Borneo and more.
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KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 22): The Covid-19 crisis has demonstrated the importance of technology and innovation to ensure the people’s well-being and business sustainability, and Budget 2021 is placing a great emphasis on these aspects.
It is therefore of little surprise that technology players are among the most enthusiastic supporters of the budget, which is currently being debated in the Dewan Rakyat and is scheduled for voting in Parliament in a few days’ time.
Perikatan Nasional’s maiden budget has a raft of technology-focused measures ranging from improving digital connectivity to promoting investments in high-value-added and green technologies.
Ko Chuan [Zhen], co-founder and chief executive officer of solar photovoltaic solutions provider Plus Solar [Systems] Sdn Bhd, said the budget’s proposed measures would facilitate economic recovery for the people’s well-being, including through allocations for the development of a more sustainable and knowledgeable Malaysia.
“Though tabled, the budget’s approval hinges on getting parliamentary approval. At the same time, Malaysia’s renewable energy sector finds itself at a critical juncture.
“Several initiatives and allocations under the budget, such as the first Sustainability Bond in Malaysia for environmental and social initiatives, will position Malaysia as a regional hub for a sustainable lifestyle,” he told Bernama.
Ko said the bonds, which are loans used to finance projects that bring clear environmental and social-economic benefits, will help sustain the industry at this difficult time.
Furthermore, he said, the RM2 billion allocation under the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) for two years up to 2022 is a great initiative, especially for companies which plan to invest in green technology.
“Commercial and industrial sectors stand to benefit from the GTFS,” he said, noting that the main criteria include the company or business must be at least a 51%-owned legal Malaysian entity.
“Given that commercial and industrial buildings stand to save the most in terms of energy bills, the RM1 billion allocation for the Industrial Digital Transformation Scheme can potentially assist these businesses to adopt internet-of-things technology which can help make energy consumption more intelligent,” he said.
Hence, he said, Budget 2021 needs to be approved in due time, with open conversation from all parties to ensure that priority is given for the financial allocations to address the Covid-19 pandemic crisis and revitalise the economy as well as for the nation’s overall political stability.
Meanwhile, Halal Street UK (HST), an e-marketplace for Malaysian products in the United Kingdom, said the proposed budget is positive as it addresses problems and challenges that cut across all sectors of the society while cushioning the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It applauded the government’s move of allocating RM1 billion to accelerate the adoption of digitalisation under the digital transformation scheme and additional funds of RM150 million which will be provided under the SME Digitalisation Grant Scheme and the Automation Grant.
“Sufficient initiatives and incentives have been announced towards supporting businesses, especially among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are still reeling from the impact of the pandemic, to move to e-commerce.
“The RM35 million being allocated to promote Malaysian-made goods and services under the Trade and Investment Mission is certainly helpful for the SMEs to recover from their losses and have a bigger market reach by going global,” it said.
HST said all entrepreneurs should therefore take these opportunities that will definitely benefit them in the long run and assist them in riding out the economic storm as well as empowering the digital and gig economy.
Meanwhile, Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh head David Hagerbro said investment in expanding critical digital infrastructure and innovative services while democratising internet access will be key drivers for Malaysia’s recovery and economic growth.
“We strongly support the government’s efforts to upgrade network connections across 430 schools within the country covering all states with a RM500 million allocation for the National Digital Network initiative (JENDELA).
“Additionally, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s assignment of RM7.4 billion in 2021 to 2022 to expand broadband connectivity is a sure step in the right direction for quality coverage,” he said.
Hence, he believes that the successful roll-out of 5G hinges on the great incentives and provisions within Budget 2021, which will pave the way for the government, businesses, and citizens to deliver ground-breaking solutions to the pandemic that can reach all levels of society.
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BM Version
Peserta teknologi antara perniagaan yang amat reseptif terhadap Belanjawan 2021
KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Nov — Krisis kesihatan ekoran pandemik COVID-19 membuktikan betapa pentingnya teknologi dan inovasinya dalam memastikan kesejahteraan serta kemampanan perniagaan, dan atas asas itulah Belanjawan 2020 telah memberi penekanan kepada aspek ini.
Justeru, tidak begitu mengejutkan apabila peserta teknologi menjadi kalangan penyokong yang amat bersungguh terhadap belanjawan itu, yang sedang dibahaskan di Dewan Rakyat dan dijadualkan melalui undian untuk diluluskan dalam beberapa hari iagi.
Belanjawan pertama kerajaan di bawah pentadbiran Perikatan Nasional itu menetapkan beberapa inisiatif bertumpuan teknologi yang merangkumi penambahbaikan kesalinghubungan Internet, menggalakkan pelaburan dalam nilai tambah tinggi serta teknologi hijau.
Pengasas Bersama dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Plus Solar [Systems] Sdn Bhd, Ko Chuan [Zhen] berkata langkah-langkah yang dicadangkan belanjawan itu akan memudahkan proses pemulihan ekonomi untuk kesejahteraan rakyat, termasuk melalui peruntukan khususnya bagi pembangunan Malaysia yang lebih lestari dan berpengetahuan.
“Walaupun telah dibentangkan, namun kelulusan terhadap belanjawan itu bergantung kepada persetujuan Parlimen. Pada masa yang sama sektor tenaga boleh diperbaharu Malaysia berada di persimpangan yang penting.
“Beberapa inisiatif dan peruntukan menerusi belanjawan itu, seperti Bon Kemampanan pertama di Malaysia bagi usaha alam sekitar dan sosial, akan meletakkan Malaysia sebagai hab serantau untuk gaya hidup mampan,” katanya kepada Bernama.
Beliau berkata bon itu, yang merupakan pinjaman untuk membiayai projek yang membawa manfaat alam sekitar bersih dan sosio-ekonomi, akan membantu mengekalkan industri dalam tempoh mencabar ini.
Selain itu, Ko berkata peruntukan sebanyak RM2 bilion di bawah Skim Pembiayaan Teknologi Hijau (GTFS) bagi tempoh dua tahun sehingga 2022 merupakan usaha yang bagus terutama bagi syarikat yang merancang untuk melabur dalam teknologi hijau.
“Sektor swasta dan perindustrian bersedia untuk memanfaatkan GTFS itu,” katanya.
Beliau berkata kriteria utama termasuk sekurang-kurangnya 51 peratus kepentingan syarikat atau perniagaan dimiliki oleh entiti Malaysia yang sah.
“Memandangkan bangunan komersial dan perindustrian mahu menjimatkan lebih banyak dari segi bil tenaga, peruntukan RM1 bilion menerusi Skim Transformasi Pendigitalan Industri berpotensi membantu perniagaan menerima guna teknologi Internet Pelbagai Benda yang boleh merealisasikan penggunaan tenaga secara lebih pintar,” katanya.
Beliau berkata justeru, Belanjawan 2021 perlu diluluskan apabila tiba masanya, dengan perbincangan terbuka melibatkan semua pihak bagi memastikan keutamaan diberi kepada peruntukan bagi menangani krisis pandemik COVID-19 dan memulihkan ekonomi serta kestabilan politik negara secara keseluruhannya.
Sementara itu, menurut Halal Street UK (HST), e-pasaran bagi produk Malaysia di United Kingdom (UK), belanjawan yang dicadangkan itu adalah positif untuk menyelesaikan masalah dan cabaran meliputi semua sektor masyarakat di samping menangani impak ekonomi akibat pandemik COVID-19.
Ia turut menyambut baik langkah kerajaan memperuntukkan RM1bilion untuk mempercepatkan pelaksanaan pendigitalan di bawah skim transformasi digital dan dana tambahan berjumlah RM150 juta yang akan disediakan di bawah Skim Geran Pendigitalan perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) dan Geran Automasi.
“Inisiatif dan insentif yang mencukupi telah diumumkan ke arah menyokong perniagaan, terutama dalam kalangan PKS yang masih bergelut dengan impak pandemik itu untuk beralih kepada e-dagang.
“Sebanyak RM35 juta disediakan untuk mempromosikan barangan dan perkhidmatan keluaran Malaysia menerusi Misi Perdagangan dan Pelaburan yang sudah pastinya membantu PKS pulih daripada kerugian dan mempunyai capaian pasaran lebih luas dengan melangkah ke peringkat global,” katanya.
Menurut HST, semua usahawan perlu merebut peluang ini yang sudah tentu memberi manfaat kepada mereka untuk jangka panjang dan membantu menangani kemelut ekonomi di samping memperkasakan ekonomi digital dan gig.
Ketua Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, David Hagerbro pula berkata pelaburan untuk memperluaskan infrastruktur digital penting dan perkhidmatan yang inovatif serta mendemokrasi akses Internet akan menjadi pemacu utama kepada pertumbuhan dan pemulihan ekonomi Malaysia.
“Kami memberi sokongan kukuh dalam usaha kerajaan untuk menaik taraf jaringan rangkaian di 430 sekolah di seluruh negara dengan peruntukan RM500 juta di bawah inisiatif Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA).
“Selain itu, menerusi peranan Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia bagi RM7.4 bilion pada 2021 hingga 2022 untuk memperluas kesalinghubungan jalur lebar adalah langkah tepat ke arah liputan berkualiti,” katanya.
Oleh itu, beliau yakin kejayaan pelaksanaan 5G adalah bergantung kepada insentif dan peruntukan besar dalam Belanjawan 2021 yang akan membuka laluan kepada kerajaan, perniagaan dan masyarakat untuk memberi penyelesaian baharu kepada pandemik serta menjangkaui semua lapisan masyarakat.
— BERNAMA
Media Source: Bernama, The Edge
Online Sources of Related Coverage:
Print Sources of Related Coverage (23rd of November 2020):
The Sun – Business – Pg. 12
Berita Harian – Nasional – Pg. 7
Sinar Harian – Business – Pg. 31
Borneo Post – KK: Business – Pg. A3
Photo Credit: Plus Solar
Disclaimer: The contents of the reposted article have been edited to represent Plus Solar’s brand and services to its truest nature.
